Sink strainer assembly



July 29, 1969 R. M. WILLIAMS SINK STRAINER ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 30, 1967 INVENTOR ROBERT M. WILLIAMS ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,457,570 SINK STRAINER ASSEMBLY Robert M. Williams, Grand Blanc, Mich., assignor to Delve Inc., Davison, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Aug. 30, 1967, Ser. No. 664,364 Int. Cl. E03c 1/26 US. Cl. 4-190 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for use with a sink, which includes a flat sink strainer, an overflow standpipe for insertion into the strainer and a stopper for insertion into the strainer optionally in place of the standpipe. The parts are made from organic plastic materials, and are constructed so that the need of a separate seal between the strainer and either of the other two parts is eliminated.

Background of the invention The present invention relates to a strainer and an overflow standpipe or stopper adapted to be used with the strainer in a conventional laundry tub or sink.

When using automatic laundry equipment, it is conventional practice to use a laundry tub or sink to save the suds from one batch of laundry for use in washing a subsequent batch. This a normally accomplished by discharging the suds from the first batch into a tub or sink whose outlet is closed, after which the normal rinsing operation of the first batch is performed. The used rinse water is then discharged before the second batch can be laundered. In order to avoid the need for two separate sinks or tubs for handling both the suds and the rinse water, it is common practice to employ a standpipe which may be inserted into the outlet of the sink or tub, thereby closing the outlet to the contents of the sink or tub so as to permit the suds to be stored in the sink; and subsequently, when the rinse water is to be discharged, it can be discharged through the standpipe. Thereafter, the suds which are still retained in the tub can be pumped back into the washing machine for use in conjunction with the second or subsequent batch of laundry.

The conventional strainers and standpipes heretofore used have been metallic elements, the strainer being adapted to fit into the outlet of the sink for performing conventional straining purposes, and the standpipe has required an O-ring or similar sealing element to be used on its outer periphery adjacent to the discharge end thereof for effecting a liquid seal between the outer diameter of the standpipe and the inner circumference of the strainer so that suds stored in the sink will not leak between the standpipe and the strainer. Constructions of this type are relatively more costly and less effective than the present invention when it is kept in mind that the O-rings require means to retain them in place on the standpipe when the standpipe is being inserted into and withdrawn from the strainer. Also, if the rubber O-ring is inadvertently dis placed from its normal position during use, the necessary seal will not be provided, resulting in the loss of the suds.

According to one form of the present invention, a sink strainer and overflow standpipe assembly is provided which comprises a strainer formed of organic plastic mate rial and having a cylindrical discharge duct, the inner wall of which has a smooth surface with a relatively small inward taper from the inlet end to the outlet end of the duct. The outlet end of the duct has transverse strainer elements partially obstructing the duct outlet, and the inlet end has a radially outwardly directed flange for overlapping the periphery of the opening of the bottom wall of the sink or tub. The outer wall of the duct is threaded from ice the outlet end to adjacent to the flange, and a fitting is threadedly connected to the threaded portion of the duct for cooperating with the flange in securing the strainer to the bottom wall of the sink in the opening thereof. An overflow standpipe, also formed of organic plastic material, having a constant external diameter along its length is adapted to be inserted into the tapered opening of the strainer for effecting a liquid tight seal between these parts. The diameter of the standpipe is greater than the minimum diameter and lesser than the maximum diameter of the taper to permit the standpipe to be press fitted into the duct so as to provide the necessary seal. In addition, a stopper having essentially the same circumferential dimensions as the standpipe may also be provided for use optionally with the strainer, the stopper being closed at the top so that when the standpipe is removed and the stopper is inserted in the strainer, the effective water-tight closure for the outlet is provided.

It is on object of the present invention to provide an improved strainer and overflow standpipe assembly, and also to provide a stopper for optional use in place of the standpipe.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Brief description of the drawing FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the strainer and standpipe assembly embodying the present invention, showing the assembly secured in the bottom Wall of a sink;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, but showing a stopper inserted in the strainer in place of the standpipe.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Brief description of the preferred embodiments Referring now to the drawing, the sink strainer and overflow standpipe assembly shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 will be described first. As is there shown, a bottom wall 10 of a conventional laundry tub or sink is shown having a discharge opening 12 therein. A strainer 14, formed of a suitable organic plastic material is positioned in the opening 12. The strainer 14 has a cylindrical portion or duct 16 having a radially outwardly directed flange 18 at its upper or inlet end and transverse strainer bars 20 partially obstructing the discharge or outlet end. The outer surface of the duct or cylindrical portion 16 is threaded from the discharge end substantially to the flange 18, and screwed onto the duct 16 is the nut or fitting 22 which has a flange 24 for engaging the under-surface of the bottom wall 10 for securely attaching the strainer 14 to the bottom wall. It is believed readily understood, this is accomplished merely by screwing the nut 22 tightly against the under-surface of the bottom wall 10 to effect holding action between the flange 18 and the flange 24. The flexible properties of the plastic flange 18 will assure a close and tight fit against wall 10 so that leakage from the tub or sink is avoided.

Also threadedly connected to the duct 16 is the second fitting 26 which includes a rubber O-ring or washer 28 to effect a liquid tight seal between the duct 16 and a conventional drain pipe 30. This seal is effected merely by tightening the fitting 26 on the duct 16 so as to urge the O-ring or washer 28 tightly against the drain pipe 30.

The inner surface of the duct 16 has a relatively small taper from the inlet end to the outlet end. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention a one degree taper is employed. The purpose of this taper will presently be described.

The standpipe 32 is formed of a suitable organic plastic material and is cylindrical in shape. The diameter of the standpipe 32 is constant throughout its length, and the outer dimension is such that it is slightly larger than the smallest diameter of the duct 16 at the outlet end, and smaller than the largest diameter of the duct 16 at the inlet end. Thus, the standpipe 16 can be urged into the duct 16 to the position shown in FIGURE 2, thereby effecting a tight liquid seal between the duct 16 and the outer surface of the standpipe 32.

From the foregoing description, it will be recognized that the construction and arrangement of the standpipe 32 and the strainer 14 is such that the need for an O-ring or similar construction such as is required by prior art devices is completely eliminated. The standpipe 32 can be quickly and easily removed from the strainer 14 whenever desired, and can be reinserted in place with equal facility.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, it will be seen that a stopper 34 can also be used optionally with the strainer 14. The latter has essentially the same circumferential dimension as the standpipe 32. Thus, the stopper 34 has a cylindrical portion of constant diameter which is essentially the same diameter as the outer diameter of the standpipe 32. Thus, the stopper 34 can also be press-fitted into the strainer 14 to effect a liquid tight seal between the outer surface of the stopper 34 and the strainer 14. The stopper 34 is closed at the upper end so that it will prevent liquid from being discharged through the interior of the stopper. It will be recognized that either the stopper 34 or the standpipe 32 may be used optionally in connection with the strainer and its associated parts.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A sink strainer and overflow standpipe assembly comprising a strainer formed of organic plastic material and having a cylindrical discharge duct the inner wall of which has a smooth surface with a relatively small in ward taper from the inlet end to the outlet end of the duct, said outlet end having transverse strainer elements partially obstructing the outlet, said inlet end having a radially outwardly directed flange for overlapping the periphery of 4 an opening in the bottom wall of a sink, the outer wall of said duct being threaded from outlet end to adjacent to said flange, a fitting threadedly connected to the threaded portion of said duct for cooperating with said flange in securing the strainer to the bottom wall of the sink in the opening thereof, and an overflow standpipe formed of organic plastic material and having a constant external diameter along its length, said diameter being greater than the minimum diameter and lesser than the maximumdiameter of said inner wall to permit the bottom end of said standpipe to be press-fitted into said duct so as to provide a sealed joint between the inner diameter of the duct and the outer diameter of the bottom end of the standpipe.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said inner wall of the strainer has a one-degree taper.

3. A sink andoverflow standpipe assembly according to claim 1, wherein a second fitting is threadedly connected to the threaded portion of said duct for securing the outlet end of the duct to a drain pipe.

4. A sink and overflow standpipe assembly according to claim 1, which includes a stopper formed of organic plastic material and having a cylindrical portion of constant external diameter along its length, said diameter being greater than the minimum diameter and lesser than the maximum diameter of said inner wall, said stopper being optionally interchangeable with said standpipe.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 302,110 7/1884 Danziger 4-287 313,068 3/1885 Gage 4-287 346,579 8/1886 Butler 4-287 930,845 8/1909 Dawes 4-286 1,370,170 3/1921 Ullman 4-295 2,756,078 7/1956 Klingler 4-292 3,281,869 11/ 1966 Schweigaard-Olsen et a1.

4-288 FOREIGN PATENTS 740,464 11/ 1932 France. 1,430,190 1/ 1966 France.

216,637 12/ 1941 Switzerland.

LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner D. MASSENBERG, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 4-295 

